Mark Simmons was named interim chief of the Rochester Police Department on Tuesday. He will replace Michael Ciminelli, who will take a position with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. Here are five things to know about the city's new police chief.

Rochester native

Simmons is 38 years old, a 16-year veteran of the Rochester Police Department and, like the man he replaces, a native son who came up through the ranks. He grew up on the city's northeast side, off North Goodman Street and is a 1998 graduate of Benjamin Franklin High School. He earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from Keuka College as well as a master's degree in criminal justice administration.

Through the ranks

Mark Simmons, left, in a 2007 file photo. He and another officer were speaking to witnesses after a robbery on Redwood Street.(Photo: Max Schulte/Rochester Democrat and Chroncile)

Simmons joined the Rochester Police Department in 2002 as a patrol officer, serving on both the Organized Violence Reduction Team and the Tactical Unit. He earned promotions to sergeant and investigator, later serving as commanding officer of the Professional Standards Section and as chief of staff to the police chief.

Officer-involved shooting

Family members called 911 to report that Lashedica Mason was threatening to kill herself with a knife. While Simmons was talking to those family members, Lashedica emerged from the kitchen with an 8-inch knife and rushed toward Simmons and Lashedica's 18-year-old sister. Simmons backed up and ordered Lashedica to stop before shooting her three times.

The teen survived, but the shooting sparked community protests. Acting Police Chief Cedric Alexander said Simmons "acted in an appropriate manner ... the way he was trained to act."

Deputy Chief

Simmons was promoted to Deputy Chief in 2016, one of three individuals in the department to hold that rank. For the past two years he has led RPD’s Administration Bureau. In that position, he oversaw policy development, budget, training, personnel management and emergency planning.

He also served as coordinator of RPD's recent reorganization from two sections to five.

Family man

Simmons is married and has four children. They live in the town of Greece.

His father, Bishop Amos Simmons, is the bishop of Upper Floor Room Family Worship Center on Joseph Avenue.